Denver Zoo Denver Zoo News 2020

ThatOneZooGuy said:
The new Stingray Cove is open to the public with a $5 entry fee, and a “Beach Bar” themed concession!

Exhibits - Denver Zoo
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I'm staunchly against touch pools in zoos, but the zoo did a decent job in making Stingray Cove into a proper exhibit rather than a sideshow with a tent somebody randomly pitched. If they had followed through with the stone work on the waterfall throughout the pavilion itself then they would really have something.

Like, steal directly from Steinbeck's The Log from the Sea of Cortez. Throw up some hand drawn pictures of intertidal creatures, etc. Have a second tide pool with the usual suspects. Create a habitat versus an exhibit. Put in a splash zone a la Fresno-Chaffee if you must. I'll need to check out the menu at the "Beach Bar" again, but all I remember was a churro. Have an empanada or three, tamales, roasted corn,etc.

That said, thanks to the social-distancing measures in place the actual experience wasn't as hellish as it can be. I'm certain this is standard at most touch pools in zoos, but once you make it to the front of the line the cashier rings you up, gives you the basic details, and has you wash up to the elbow. A second host gives you the rundown on touching and feeding (it's like a soft suction!), and sets you up along the pool. Once at the pool you check it all out, then reach in and... what happens happens. The rays seemed especially hungry as they would mob each section as a new group came up.

Speaking of food, the five buck entrance fee isn't outrageous, but only one bit of fish is underwhelming. They should at least give you two pieces of fish. Maybe extra for shrimp.

Beyond that it was perfectly fine. It's not something I'd do on a regular basis, of course,but every so often I could see doing it. Especially since it's the closest I'll be getting to salt water for the seeable future.

Back to that whole social distancing thing...

As previously mentioned I wasn't impressed with the visitors at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo or with the operations side of things. It feels a bit unfair to compare the two now that Colorado is under a statewide mask order, but Denver Zoo felt more prepared of the two.

The pathway through the zoo was divided in twain; one way traffic in each direction, and every so often a member of staff was perched on a lifeguard chair to observe and direct traffic.

Most of the indoor exhibit spaces were closed, but those that were open (Predator Ridge, Tropical Building, Great Apes) were staffed with people to control traffic and move on groups that hung around too long or got too close.

Mobile ordering is now encouraged throughout the zoo at all dining facilities. Pick your table, place an order, and they'll text or call you when your order is ready. You pick it up at a designated spot.

Tables had a sign that indicated whether or not it had been cleaned. Guests were expected to flip the sign when they were done and a member of staff would come by and clean the table eventually. This was hit-and-miss as I observed a lot of people ignoring the signs and cleaning wasn't always prompt.

A few staffers were engaged in walking around the grounds and cleaning handrails and high touch points.

Now real commentary on the guests due to the mask order, but they were mostly compliant. More than a few had the mask under the chin or below the nose, but it's something I guess.

By and large I think Denver Zoo did a good job given the circumstances. If the other large zoos are able to do something similar then zoo-going should be a decently okay thing to do.

Silver lining to Stingray Cove now being open: the pathway in front of the old cathouse is open, and one of the exhibits now houses a serval. Unfortunately the exhibit seems fitting for a small bear or a medium cat*, and thus makes spotting the serval a bit of a challenge.

*- If they filled the moat in, did some replanting, and glassed it in you'd have a pretty nice leopard exhibit.

Anyway, I said brief. This is too long as it is!

One more thing actually:

The zoo has hired local artists to paint murals for various spots on the grounds. These are usually placed on barricades.

Local Artists Beautify Denver Zoo Campus - Denver Zoo
 
Buldeo said:
I'm staunchly against touch pools in zoos, but the zoo did a decent job in making Stingray Cove into a proper exhibit rather than a sideshow with a tent somebody randomly pitched. If they had followed through with the stone work on the waterfall throughout the pavilion itself then they would really have something.

Like, steal directly from Steinbeck's The Log from the Sea of Cortez. Throw up some hand drawn pictures of intertidal creatures, etc. Have a second tide pool with the usual suspects. Create a habitat versus an exhibit. Put in a splash zone a la Fresno-Chaffee if you must. I'll need to check out the menu at the "Beach Bar" again, but all I remember was a churro. Have an empanada or three, tamales, roasted corn,etc.

That said, thanks to the social-distancing measures in place the actual experience wasn't as hellish as it can be. I'm certain this is standard at most touch pools in zoos, but once you make it to the front of the line the cashier rings you up, gives you the basic details, and has you wash up to the elbow. A second host gives you the rundown on touching and feeding (it's like a soft suction!), and sets you up along the pool. Once at the pool you check it all out, then reach in and... what happens happens. The rays seemed especially hungry as they would mob each section as a new group came up.

Speaking of food, the five buck entrance fee isn't outrageous, but only one bit of fish is underwhelming. They should at least give you two pieces of fish. Maybe extra for shrimp.

Beyond that it was perfectly fine. It's not something I'd do on a regular basis, of course,but every so often I could see doing it. Especially since it's the closest I'll be getting to salt water for the seeable future.

Back to that whole social distancing thing...

As previously mentioned I wasn't impressed with the visitors at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo or with the operations side of things. It feels a bit unfair to compare the two now that Colorado is under a statewide mask order, but Denver Zoo felt more prepared of the two.

The pathway through the zoo was divided in twain; one way traffic in each direction, and every so often a member of staff was perched on a lifeguard chair to observe and direct traffic.

Most of the indoor exhibit spaces were closed, but those that were open (Predator Ridge, Tropical Building, Great Apes) were staffed with people to control traffic and move on groups that hung around too long or got too close.

Mobile ordering is now encouraged throughout the zoo at all dining facilities. Pick your table, place an order, and they'll text or call you when your order is ready. You pick it up at a designated spot.

Tables had a sign that indicated whether or not it had been cleaned. Guests were expected to flip the sign when they were done and a member of staff would come by and clean the table eventually. This was hit-and-miss as I observed a lot of people ignoring the signs and cleaning wasn't always prompt.

A few staffers were engaged in walking around the grounds and cleaning handrails and high touch points.

Now real commentary on the guests due to the mask order, but they were mostly compliant. More than a few had the mask under the chin or below the nose, but it's something I guess.

By and large I think Denver Zoo did a good job given the circumstances. If the other large zoos are able to do something similar then zoo-going should be a decently okay thing to do.

Silver lining to Stingray Cove now being open: the pathway in front of the old cathouse is open, and one of the exhibits now houses a serval. Unfortunately the exhibit seems fitting for a small bear or a medium cat*, and thus makes spotting the serval a bit of a challenge.

*- If they filled the moat in, did some replanting, and glassed it in you'd have a pretty nice leopard exhibit.

Anyway, I said brief. This is too long as it is!

One more thing actually:

The zoo has hired local artists to paint murals for various spots on the grounds. These are usually placed on barricades.

Local Artists Beautify Denver Zoo Campus - Denver Zoo
Click to expand...

I completely agree with you on Stingray Cove. I certainly think that it’s a nice area, if only a bit overpriced for what you get. Although, I certainly don’t feel bad giving the zoo a bit of money as they reopen. I do also like the beach bar theme, which I thought a nice tough. I do think that it should fit in a whole lot more when they renovate the old feline house. I don’t care what they turn it into, so long as they update it which they definitely need to do.

The servals in that yard are definitely not easy to see, but I’m sure (she? he? I can’t remember lol) likes it. For me at least, it is nice to still see some other species in the old cat cages that are a bit more fitting than what was once there, except for the Amur Leopard but they now have double their previous space so it’s better, if only slightly. I’ve seen the Amur Leopard, Patagonian Mara, and both Macaw Species in the two times I’ve visited since reopening.

I do have one question however. I feel like I heard something about the sloths moving to Tropical Discovery since the closure of Bird World in an article a while back. When I was inside, I was too excited just to be in there again (especially with how empty it was) and forgot to look for any signage. So I was wondering if you or anybody else on this forum knows the sloths current whereabouts.

Finally, the only issue I find is that sometimes you can easily get caught up in crowds with the staggered entry and one way path, however if you go all the way to Primates, it typically falters off and you find yourself pretty alone for the rest of the walk. Although I will admit, I am kind of grateful for how Cheyenne Mountain Zoo had theirs set up when I first visited as I wanted to double back and see Waters Edge three times, and their rules allowed for that :D.
 
ThatOneZooGuy said:
I completely agree with you on Stingray Cove. I certainly think that it’s a nice area, if only a bit overpriced for what you get. Although, I certainly don’t feel bad giving the zoo a bit of money as they reopen. I do also like the beach bar theme, which I thought a nice tough. I do think that it should fit in a whole lot more when they renovate the old feline house. I don’t care what they turn it into, so long as they update it which they definitely need to do.
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Supporting the zoo is largely why I decided to try it out, but the beach bar vibe doesn't quite work for me. If they wanted to be Baja-inspired the concession stand should be painted bright blue with yellow trim and the Cerveza Pacifico logo right on the side.

I do like the whale tail umbrellas though. Those are fun.

ThatOneZooGuy said:
The servals in that yard are definitely not easy to see, but I’m sure (she? he? I can’t remember lol) likes it. For me at least, it is nice to still see some other species in the old cat cages that are a bit more fitting than what was once there, except for the Amur Leopard but they now have double their previous space so it’s better, if only slightly. I’ve seen the Amur Leopard, Patagonian Mara, and both Macaw Species in the two times I’ve visited since reopening.
Click to expand...

The serval is a female if I'm not mistaken. Nope, male! An old Facebook post corrected me, but he's nearly 15 so he probably does enjoy the extra privacy. As previously mentioned though, with some minor adjustments it'd be a great home for a leopard.

ThatOneZooGuy said:
I do have one question however. I feel like I heard something about the sloths moving to Tropical Discovery since the closure of Bird World in an article a while back. When I was inside, I was too excited just to be in there again (especially with how empty it was) and forgot to look for any signage. So I was wondering if you or anybody else on this forum knows the sloths current whereabouts.
Click to expand...

I have no definitive information unfortunately. I asked the keeper just before Bird World closed about their plans, and he said they'd remain on site, but off-exhibit(?) for the foreseeable future. Part of me thinks that they're still in Bird World. From all outward appearances nothing has been done with the building. They just locked the door. You can see all the plants through the windows still, not to mention that the penguins, Stellar Sea Eagles, and Cassowary are still using it.

I might go again, and, if I do, I'll be sure to ask somebody.

ThatOneZooGuy said:
Finally, the only issue I find is that sometimes you can easily get caught up in crowds with the staggered entry and one way path, however if you go all the way to Primates, it typically falters off and you find yourself pretty alone for the rest of the walk. Although I will admit, I am kind of grateful for how Cheyenne Mountain Zoo had theirs set up when I first visited as I wanted to double back and see Waters Edge three times, and their rules allowed for that :D.
Click to expand...

It was actually pretty dead at the entrance for me. Popped in at noon, and I don't think there were any real crowds until the Kamala Cafe. There was some activity around the orangutans, but they were particularly active. Unlike the new bachelor troop of apes who were already bored with the new space. All in all though, it was a good day for visiting. Nearly everybody was out, active, and there were some great vocalizations going on.

-----------------

So I've been mulling over some aspects of Denver's master plan, and I hope they'd do some adjustments to it. For example, drop the whole Pacific Northwest theme. It's been done to death. Expand on the riparian aspects; i.e., start with a new sea lion/seal pool. Take some inspiration from Fresno-Chaffee. I'd go for the tunnel from St. Louis too.

From there move to the touch pool, a tide pool, and then start up into the riparian ecosystems. This middle section is still only vague since I'm divided between focusing on a Baja California-Southwestern US thing or Coastal California. The former phases out grizzlies, but you could put in jaguars. The latter would culminate in a whizbang grizzly exhibit, and you could give the bald eagles a new home too. Perhaps one that allows them to fish as well.

Anyway, random musings. I'll need to think on it some more.
 
The 1.1 African lion cubs have been named:

Oskar and Araali — those are the names chosen for two lion cubs born at the Denver Zoo in April.

Oskar was named after Oskar Blues Brewery in Lyons, and Araali, which means "thunder in Swahili" is meant to pay homage to her grandfather Sango, who was named for the Yoruba god of thunder.

The pair of baby lions were born at the zoo on April 23 to mom, Kamara, 4, and dad, Tobias, 4.

The 2 lion cubs at the Denver Zoo have their names
 
Buldeo said:
I have no definitive information unfortunately. I asked the keeper just before Bird World closed about their plans, and he said they'd remain on site, but off-exhibit(?) for the foreseeable future. Part of me thinks that they're still in Bird World. From all outward appearances nothing has been done with the building. They just locked the door. You can see all the plants through the windows still, not to mention that the penguins, Stellar Sea Eagles, and Cassowary are still using it.
Click to expand...

So it appears that the sloths will be moving into the Tropical Discovery building, but not until their exhibit is completed. No details on that so it could be a free roam thing or that spot where the zoo's last capybara was. I'll try to find out more.

They are, indeed, on-site and off-exhibit until that exhibit is complete,but they were coy as to where they were residing. My money is still on Bird World.

Buldeo said:
From there move to the touch pool, a tide pool, and then start up into the riparian ecosystems. This middle section is still only vague since I'm divided between focusing on a Baja California-Southwestern US thing or Coastal California. The former phases out grizzlies, but you could put in jaguars. The latter would culminate in a whizbang grizzly exhibit, and you could give the bald eagles a new home too. Perhaps one that allows them to fish as well.
Click to expand...

Why not both? If you dub the section "Alta California" you can fit in both paths since the Spanish colonial state was comprised of modern-day California, Arizona, New Mexico and parts of Nevada and Colorado. You get a history lesson and a whole slew of new animals to look at!

Also: The premium encounter with a polar bear sounds a bit naff since you can't guarantee the bear's interest. Keep the idea, but substitute in sea lions. How? Swim with the sea lions. Yes, in the same pool. It's a thing that happens in California and Baja, but no zoo would go for it due to liability issues.

The compromise I've been fiddling with is intertwining pools so you could still engage each other behind a sheet of plexi glass.
 
I notice they no longer list Amur Leopards on their website. Does anyone know when the female Dazma passed away? If she was still there she'd be over 19 years old by now (born 3 April 2001, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo) and resident at Denver for over 17 years!
 
WanderingDragon said:
I notice they no longer list Amur Leopards on their website. Does anyone know when the female Dazma passed away? If she was still there she'd be over 19 years old by now (born 3 April 2001, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo) and resident at Denver for over 17 years!
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They were both alive and kicking in 2018. Not sure what happened since, I highly doubt that after the M Hari-Kari ... that female Dazma might yet be alive and certainly so since all mention of Amur leopards has been removed from their website. As to the date of passing, no frigging idea. Sorry!
 
I gathered that. Get out of bed the wrong side this morning? I just hoped that someone who visits Denver Zoo might know what happened, as the zoo had not bothered to commemorate her in any way.
 
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